[시사뉴스 홍경의 기자] Argentina returned in gold following winning the World Cup for the first time in 36 years. More than 4 million people flocked to the victory parade.
Argentina lifted the World Cup trophy by winning 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out following drawing 3-3 with France in the 2022 Qatar World Cup final held on the 19th (Korean time).
It was the first time in 36 years since the 1986 World Cup in Mexico that they regained the world championship.
Argentine players, including Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain), arrived in Buenos Aires, the capital, on the 21st (local time) and held a victory parade.
Crowds of people dressed in Argentinian uniforms or light blue and white clothes greeted the players enthusiastically. There were also many who waved at large paintings or photos of Messi and the late Diego Maradona.
According to foreign media, more than 4 million people came out to the streets to welcome Messi and other players.
The team had planned to take a bus to the Obelisco in the center of the city, but the parade was stopped halfway.
This is because too many people gather and the risk of safety accidents increases.
Some rabid fans have had accidents when they jumped from a high place to jump onto a bus and then fell down.
In the end, the athletes who might no longer continue the parade escaped by helicopter.
Claudio Tapia, head of the Argentine Football Association, said, “It has become difficult for the squad to greet the people who were seated in the Obelisco. We apologize on their behalf.”
